Josephine (Jo) Shupert went to be with the Lord on Thanksgiving, Nov. 22, 2012, at the age of 96. Born in New York on Jan. 22, 1916, she moved to California in 1940 and to Alaska in 1958. Jo married Ernest Shupert in 1959. They spent many happy years on their homestead between Homer and Anchor Point, where they grew huge gardens and sold what they grew to places like Alaska Wild Berry Products.
Jo delivered the mail out East End Road, Diamond Ridge, Kachemak Drive and the Spit for many years. She also worked in the cannery. Jo was a red-headed (before her hair turned white) fireball, a spunky, feisty, strong, independent, giving, one-of-a-kind woman. She was a unique Alaskan character, loved and respected by many.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Shupert. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Joan and Bob Phillips; her 12 grandsons David, Johnathan, Andy, Michael and Neal Hillstrand; Rick, Eric and Jeff Phillips; and Bobby, Teddy, Danny and Alex Keenan; 24 great grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren.